Although you may not recognize it, satire is used in many common songs. Satire has been used for many years. Many song writers use this literary device to present their views, most likely controversial, in a secret way.
Examples: Bob Dylan-Subterranean Homesick Blues
The satire used in this song ridicules drugs and the government. In the lyrics it says " Johnny’s in the basement, Mixing up the medicine,” this so called “medicine,” is obviously a hidden reference to drugs. Also, “The phones tapped anyway,” is a reference to government. In this song it speaks on how government is taking control of everything, for example the phones. Overall this song is satire on the fact that the government is in control and they are telling you what to do all the time, and no body is allowing you to be an individual. Bob Dylan- With God On Our Side
This song written by Bob Dylan, is a song that contains satire on war. In the song it presents many different fighting situations and cruel aspects of war. Although after every stanza the words “With God on our side.” This song is satire on this statement. It is saying how people cannot use God as an excuse to make wrong things seem right. The song states how the Germans killed 6 million, but still “have God on their side.” Bob Dylan is ridiculing how people use God or religion for an excuse to doing bad things. In reality war has nothing to do with religion. Bob Dylan- Blowin' in the Wind
This song is a very emotional song. It speaks on behalf of a lot of faults that we have in society. And although we have all these faults, we fail to correct them. Even though the answer to all of these faults is “blowin’ in the wind,” or simply right in front of us. It is satire because it is talking about all of these bad things but no one does anything about them, or no one chooses to do anything about them. It’s saying how war is pointless, and how many horrible things may happen but the people of our society don’t choose to help when the answers are right there. For example when Bob Dylan says,
“ Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died? “
It seems like Bob Dylan is sick of our society and does not agree with the choices it makes. Pete Seeger- American War Songs Medley
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This song is satire on the history of our past wars that were fought in America. He turns many aspects of war into negative aspects. He uses satire by presenting patriotic songs as negative. An example of this is the background melody of “Yankee Doodle.” Also a way of turning positives into negatives is the example of John Brown’s body molding in the grave after he died in war. This is showing how war really isn’t that great.
Phil Ochs- Outside A Small Circle Of Friends
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This song is complete irony and satire. The rhythm is upbeat and makes you think you should be listening to a happy song. Although, this song is the complete opposite of being happy. This song is satire against how people do not care about anyone but themselves, and how people don’t go out of the way to help others in need if it does not concern themselves. “Maybe we should call the cops and try to stop the pain
But Monopoly is so much fun, I'd hate to blow the game,” this is a very good example, this line is simply stating how this person does not care at all that this woman is being hurt, the situation does not involve them, and they would rather finish their game of monopoly. Throughout the song at the end of each stanza it states “And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybody
Outside of a small circle of friends,” This is saying how since it doesn’t involve them, they don’t care. Phil Ochs is ridiculing society and peoples attitudes towards other in a very great way. Bruce Springsteen- Born in the USA
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This song is very ironic. Many people listen to this and think it is a very patriotic song, when in reality it is not patriotic. In the songs it talks about how this boy was forced and got sent to fight in the Vietnam war.
“So they put a rifle in my hand
Sent me off to a foreign land
To go and kill the yellow man”
I don’t think this boy is very patriotic about being a part of this country. This song is protesting the Vietnam war, even if he may be proud that he lives in the USA, the song does not present the USA as a great and fair place to be patriotic about.
Rise Against- Hero of War
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This song is complete satire on war. He's saying that soldiers aren't nearly as glorified as the media makes them seem. In the start of the song he speaks on how they made war seem so great for a soldier. For example, “just carry this gun, you’ll even get paid.” “Black leather boots, Spit-shined so bright” They make it seem like being a soldier will be a great experience, you will come home and everyone will be proud of you, you will be a hero. Although in the song, it speaks of experiences that are not very worthy of being proud of. “the children they cried.“ “they pissed in his hands… we beat him with guns.“ This song is really emotional and sad. It is complete satire, it says how everyone thinks you are such a hero, they give you medals and praise you for going to war. But, sadly in war he killed an innocent woman and joined in to beating an innocent man. The saddest part is how this is what are world is made up of,
“He said, Son, Have you see the world?
Well, what would you say, If I said that you could?”
Weird Al- Ebay
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This song is satire on the Ebay service, it shows just how many sometimes stupid and useless things you can find on Ebay. This song speaks on behalf of a person who is obsessed with Ebay. It is satire because as this person becomes more and more obsessed with Ebay, he is simply betting and recieving more useless items. Everything he gets on Ebay is either used or pointless. He goes out of his way to buy “a slightly damaged golf bag.” But he still loves Ebay, as do many other people in our society.
Examples:
Bob Dylan- Subterranean Homesick Blues
The satire used in this song ridicules drugs and the government. In the lyrics it says " Johnny’s in the basement, Mixing up the medicine,” this so called “medicine,” is obviously a hidden reference to drugs. Also, “The phones tapped anyway,” is a reference to government. In this song it speaks on how government is taking control of everything, for example the phones. Overall this song is satire on the fact that the government is in control and they are telling you what to do all the time, and no body is allowing you to be an individual.
Bob Dylan- With God On Our Side
This song written by Bob Dylan, is a song that contains satire on war. In the song it presents many different fighting situations and cruel aspects of war. Although after every stanza the words “With God on our side.” This song is satire on this statement. It is saying how people cannot use God as an excuse to make wrong things seem right. The song states how the Germans killed 6 million, but still “have God on their side.” Bob Dylan is ridiculing how people use God or religion for an excuse to doing bad things. In reality war has nothing to do with religion.
Bob Dylan- Blowin' in the Wind
This song is a very emotional song. It speaks on behalf of a lot of faults that we have in society. And although we have all these faults, we fail to correct them. Even though the answer to all of these faults is “blowin’ in the wind,” or simply right in front of us. It is satire because it is talking about all of these bad things but no one does anything about them, or no one chooses to do anything about them. It’s saying how war is pointless, and how many horrible things may happen but the people of our society don’t choose to help when the answers are right there. For example when Bob Dylan says,
“ Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died? “
It seems like Bob Dylan is sick of our society and does not agree with the choices it makes.
Pete Seeger- American War Songs Medley
This song is satire on the history of our past wars that were fought in America. He turns many aspects of war into negative aspects. He uses satire by presenting patriotic songs as negative. An example of this is the background melody of “Yankee Doodle.” Also a way of turning positives into negatives is the example of John Brown’s body molding in the grave after he died in war. This is showing how war really isn’t that great.
Phil Ochs- Outside A Small Circle Of Friends
This song is complete irony and satire. The rhythm is upbeat and makes you think you should be listening to a happy song. Although, this song is the complete opposite of being happy. This song is satire against how people do not care about anyone but themselves, and how people don’t go out of the way to help others in need if it does not concern themselves. “Maybe we should call the cops and try to stop the pain
But Monopoly is so much fun, I'd hate to blow the game,” this is a very good example, this line is simply stating how this person does not care at all that this woman is being hurt, the situation does not involve them, and they would rather finish their game of monopoly. Throughout the song at the end of each stanza it states “And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybody
Outside of a small circle of friends,” This is saying how since it doesn’t involve them, they don’t care. Phil Ochs is ridiculing society and peoples attitudes towards other in a very great way.
Bruce Springsteen- Born in the USA
This song is very ironic. Many people listen to this and think it is a very patriotic song, when in reality it is not patriotic. In the songs it talks about how this boy was forced and got sent to fight in the Vietnam war.
“So they put a rifle in my hand
Sent me off to a foreign land
To go and kill the yellow man”
I don’t think this boy is very patriotic about being a part of this country. This song is protesting the Vietnam war, even if he may be proud that he lives in the USA, the song does not present the USA as a great and fair place to be patriotic about.
Rise Against- Hero of War
This song is complete satire on war. He's saying that soldiers aren't nearly as glorified as the media makes them seem. In the start of the song he speaks on how they made war seem so great for a soldier. For example, “just carry this gun, you’ll even get paid.” “Black leather boots, Spit-shined so bright” They make it seem like being a soldier will be a great experience, you will come home and everyone will be proud of you, you will be a hero. Although in the song, it speaks of experiences that are not very worthy of being proud of. “the children they cried.“ “they pissed in his hands… we beat him with guns.“ This song is really emotional and sad. It is complete satire, it says how everyone thinks you are such a hero, they give you medals and praise you for going to war. But, sadly in war he killed an innocent woman and joined in to beating an innocent man. The saddest part is how this is what are world is made up of,
“He said, Son, Have you see the world?
Well, what would you say, If I said that you could?”
Weird Al- Ebay
This song is satire on the Ebay service, it shows just how many sometimes stupid and useless things you can find on Ebay. This song speaks on behalf of a person who is obsessed with Ebay. It is satire because as this person becomes more and more obsessed with Ebay, he is simply betting and recieving more useless items. Everything he gets on Ebay is either used or pointless. He goes out of his way to buy “a slightly damaged golf bag.” But he still loves Ebay, as do many other people in our society.